Liquid level indicator



April 30, i946.

E. M. oNElLL LIQUID LEVEL INDICATOR Filed Aug. 8, 1942 `-2 Sheets-Sheet l l il/20 l N VENTOR Eanfar ATTORN EY April 3G, 1946.

E. M. ONEILL.

LIQU`IDLEVEL INDICATOR Filed Aug. 8, 1942 2 sheets-sheet 2 l I I fly/772517327 Patented Apr. 30, 1946 QNHTED TATES @PATENT OFFICE 2,399,291 Y LIQUID LEVEL INDICATOR Edwardklli. QNeill, San Francisco, Calif., assigner to Union Machine Company, Y San Francisco,

Calif., a corporation of California Application August 8, 1942, Serial No. 454,087

(Cl. 7S-'322) 4 Claims.

This invention relates to a gauge; more particularly it relates to apparatus for accurately indicating when, during the operation of pouring 4or placing liquid in a container, a predetermined quantity or proportion has been added.

An object of this invention is the provision of a gauge which will accurately indicate small changes in a liquid level over a considerable range.

In mixing paints for matching colors, such as for automobile bodies, it is very important to employ a great vdeal of accuracy in conformity with a prescribed formula, giving the proportions of each paint ingredient. y Thus if there are a number of basic colors or ingredients to choose from, the formula may take the form of prescribing the numbers associated with the respective ingredient colors, and the number of units of volume to be added of each. The unit of volume may -be arbitrary, and in fact, as hereinafter described, the unit is arbitrarily chosen as one two-hundredth of the volume of a paint can. It is another ob'- ject of this invention, therefore, to provide a simple method and apparatus for compounding such paint prescriptions or formulas.

. It is still another object of this invention to provide a simple and inexpensive gauging apparatus capable of giving a positive and readily discernible indication of a dei-mite quantity of liquid in a container. l

It is a still further object of this invention to provide gauging apparatus for use in preparing v`a definite quantity of a desired tint by mixing accurate proportions of appropriate colors.

'Ihis invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more easily apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this4 purpose there is shown 'a form in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specication. This form Will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

In the drawings:

vFigure 1 is a View of a mixing machine incorporating the gauging apparatus;

Fig. 2 is an elevation, partly in section, on an enlarged scale, of the gauging apparatus;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, of. theV gauge;

` Fig. 4 is a section as seen on plane '4*-4 of Fig; 3;

Figs. 5 and 6 are detalsection's as seen on correspondingly numbered planes of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 7 is a detail of indicia which may be used with the gauge. v

A mixing apparatus (Fig. 1) is shown of the type disclosed in a copending application led in the 'name of Edward M. ONeill, On vAugust 24, 1942, Serial No. 455,833 and entitled Mixing apparatus. This apparatus includes a plurality of cans or containers Ii). These contain different liquids or ingredients which may be required in a mixture formula. For instance, cans Ill may each `contain paint, lacquer or the like, of a. dii-ferent color. l It is thus y'possible to produceva paint or lacquer mixture that produces a desired tint or shade of color, by mixing portions of some or all of these paints `in cans I0 in accordance with a known formula. y

For receiving the ingredients, a receptacle II is provided. It is suitably'supported belowA cans l0. Each of cans -I is provided with "a valve I2 for accurately controlling `the discharge of the contents of the can. Cans I0 are carried by a table 4strmiture I3, rotatably supqu'orte'd on a standard Ill which may rest on the Hoor I5. The arrangement is such that4 table kI3 may be manually revolved to bringrthat can I l) having the desired ingredient, immediately over receptacle II.y The valve I2 of this can is then opened to allow the proper quantity of, paint topflow into receptacle II, this quantity being indicated by the Vgauging apparatus I8, in a manner to be hereinafter described. N

Means including motor I9 are provided for agitating the paint or lacquer in cans IIB before the mixing operation is started. Containers 20, ZI are provided on table i3 for holding liquids which flow more readily than paint and do not require agitation, such as a thinner or dryer. Liquid from the respective containers 20, 2| is discharged through valved pipes 22, 23 Which are each placed between a pair of cans I0 and terminate adjacent the bottoms of these cans.

The gauging apparatus I8 Vincludes a float 45 and its stem I0 (Figs. l2, 3 and 4) 'I'his oat is intended to be freely movable in accordance with the level of the liquid in the can II, so that the upper end I5 of the float stem 'I0 will truly correspond to thev liquid level. In order te` ensure accuracy, the iioat 45 is made from very light material, such as balsa wood; and the stem 15 may be in the form of a very thin aluminum tube.

i scale member 25 is utilized, to make it possible to gauge the rise of the float 45, in proportion to the height of the can II. This member is adjustably supported above the receptacle Ii. Scale member 25 is shown as carrying a plurality of scales 26, each having indicia for use with receptacles il of diierent sizes. Thus there are four scales 26 shown; the shortest one, on the left of member 25, being intended for example for use with a pint receptacle,` and the longest one, on the right being intended for use with a gallon receptacle, the intermediate scales 26 being respectively for a quart and a half gallon.

An example of one of the scales 26 is illustrated in Fig. 7. There are two hundred scale divisions, vertically arranged, and uniformly spaced. In order toincrease the spacing of the division marks, the graduations alternate between the left and right hand edges of the scale. The rise of iioat 45 by one scale division thus corresponds to an increase in the liquid contents of one two-hundredth of the entire can volume. The total length of the scale 26 thus corresponds to the height of the can il. Since the pint, quart, two quart and gallon cans are of progressively greater height, the scales 26, as heretofore stated, are of corresponding lengths.

An index member 21 is used for assisting in determining when the float 45 rises to correspond to a denite scale division. It is slidable along scale member 25 and is held thereon by flanges 28, 29 (Fig. 5) which embrace the edges of member 25. The right hand edge of member 21 is arranged to provide a space 36 for the accommodation of an arcuate spring 3l. This spring serves to frictionally secure member 21 in adjusted position on scale member 25.

To assist in accurately positioning member 21, this member carries a cylindrical magnifying lens 32 through which the scales 26 are visible. Lens 32 has an index line or hair line 33 scribed on its inner surface and adapted to register with the indicia of scales 26.

Below lens 32, a pointer 35 is pivoted at 36 on member 21. Pivot 36 is olset from the center of pointer 35, forming a long indicating portion 31 and a short actuating portion 38. The actuating portion 38 is vmade sufficiently heavy to with the indicating portion 31 extending to the left, as in Fig. 3, pointer 35 will turn clockwise about its pivot 36. This movement is checked by stop pin 39 on member 21.

As a means of indicating a definite position of pointer 35, a stationary index 46 is mounted on an extension 4I of member 21, for cooperation with pointer 35. It will be apparent that a barely perceptible movement of the actuating end 38 overbalance the indicating portion 31, whereby of pointer 35 will result in a substantial and readily observable movement of the indicating end 31 with respect to fixed point 40. Such movement occurs with a change in the liquid level or quantity under consideration. In the present instance, such movement is provided by the float 45, disposed in receptacle ll so as to float on the surface of any liquid therein.

Scale member 25 has a downward extension 58 with a reduced cylindrical portion 5l accommodated in a bore 52 of boss 53 at one end of a supporting arm or bracket 54. Scale member 25 is supported in bracket 54 as by shoulder 55 and is secured against rotation therein by a set screw 56 (Fig. 6). A boss 51 at the opposite end of bracket 54 is slidable axially as well as angularly on a rod 58, which is in turn fixed to a small platen or table 66 supporting the receptacle Il. Bracket 54 is secured in adjusted position on rod be apparent that by loosening set screw 6I, the distance of scale member 25 above table 6u and receptacle Il may be adjusted; also that the position of scale member 25 with respect to receptacle ll may be altered transversely.

Hub 53 of bracket 54 has a bore 65 parallel with and spaced from bore 52. A tubular member 66 has a reduced portion 61 secured in this bore 65, as by a knurled nut 68 Vthreaded on the lower end of portion 61. This nut 68 engages the lower face of hub 53 and clamps shoulder 69 of member 66 against the upper face of hub 53.

The upwardly extending float rod or stem 10 is slidable through a clearance bore 1l in member 66. The upper end of bore 1| is reduced in diameter as at 12 to closely embrace rod 12, and nut 68 is similarly arranged at its lower face as at 13, to closely embrace rod 16. These embracing surfaces are rounded to ensure that rod 16 may Tslide freely. Thus, rod 16 is accurately guided for vertical movement, at the same time it can move freely through its guide 66.

By inspection of Figs. 3, 4 and 5, it will be apparent that rod 10 extends directly below the actuating portion 38 of pointer 35, and that by suicient upward movement of oat 45 and rod 10, the upper end 15 of rod 10 will contact operating portion 38 of pointer 35 and swing the pointer counterclockwise bringing the indicating end 31 opposite stationary pointer 40. By adjusting member 21 along scale member 25, the height of pointer 35 is correspondingly adjusted. Accordingly the amount of upward movement required of oat 45 before actuating the pointer 35 will be varied; and the quantity of liquid added to receptacle Il before an indication is given will be altered.

Table 66 is mounted on a post 86 which is adjustably secured as by a set screw 8l in an arm 82 clamped to pedestal I4. In this manner receptacle Il may be suitably positioned with respect to containers l0 to receive paint therefrom without splashing or spilling.

In using the gauging apparatus, a preliminary adjustment must be made to bring the scale 26 corresponding to the can size, to the proper height for accurate cooperation with the oat mechanism. First, member 21 is positioned so that index 33 coincides with zero on the appropriate scale 26, while supporting iioat 45 on the bottom of receptacle ll, and then adjusting bracket 54 with scale member 25, up or down, until rod 10 causes pointer 35 to aline withv stationary pointerV 46, as indicated in Fig. 2. Now the float stem 10 obviously correctly indicates by pointer 35 that the can Il has zero lling.

Now member 21 is moved upward to bring index 33 into line with the desired quantity indication on the chosen scale 26. Such movement of course causes pointer 35 immediately to return to the position of Fig. 3, that is against stop pin 36. Liquid is then gradually poured into receptacle H, raising float 45, until rod 10 again contacts end 38 of pointer 35, when further addition of liquid swings pointer 35 towards alinement with pointer 40. Due to the multiplication of travel between the float 45 and the indicating end 31 of pointer 35, a very sensitive indication of the changing liquid level is obtained, and by stopping the addition of liquid to the receptacle Il when pointers 35 and 40 are in alinement, a very accurate indicating of the liquid level is obtained. However, due to inequalities that may 58 by a set screw 6l tappedin boss 51. It will 75 sometimes occur in the bottom of receptacle Il,

the position of rest of the iioat 45 on the bottom may be quite haphazard. In proportionlng colors to reproduce an exact tint, the resultant inaccuracy in the quantity of the first color'may be fatal. To obviate such inaccuracy, provisions are made to form an accurately level gauging surface in the can bottom. As shown in Fig. '7, each of the scales 26 has a mark S indicated by B3 a short distance below the zero mark, and the index 33 is alined with this mark 83 in the initial positioning of the scale 25 with float 45 on the bottom of the empty receptacle There is no need for accuracy in this setting, as will appear. The index 33 is then moved up to the zero mark and suil'icient liquid of a character which will not adversely affect the desired qualities of the mixture is then added to receptacle to aline pointers 35, 40, giving an accurate zero indication.

After the rst measured quantity of an ingredient is thus poured into can Il, the formula prescribes that index 33 be moved to a higher scale division, and pouring the second ingredient into the same can ll, until pointer 35 is alined with index 40. The same procedure is used for succeeding ingredients.

As an example, such a formula, utilizing in this case only four ingredients out ofthe fteen provided, may read as follows:

No. 1 151 No. 2 166 No. 6 1671/2 No. 15 200 To comply with such a formula, that can lll which carries ingredient No. 1 is brought over can by appropriate rotation of table I3. Then after preliminary setting of the apparatus as heretofore described, the hair line index 33 is moved to scale division II on that scale 26 which corresponds to the size of can The ingredient No. 1 from the proper can ||J is then poured into can Il until the pointer 35 is alined with index 40. Now the hair line index 33 is moved up to division |66, and ingredient No. 2 from appropriate can I0 is poured into can Il until the pointer 35 is again alined with index 40. Then hair line index 33 is moved up to a position midway between divisions |61 and |68, and can Il), corresponding to ingredient 6, is used as a source of supply until pointer 35 again alines with index 40. Lastly, hair line index 33 is moved to division 200, and ingredient No. 15 is poured into can until the pointer 35 again alines with index 40. C'an I is now full, and can be used for reproducing the color represented by the formula.

Obviously, the formula can be` translated into percentage form, by taking account of the fact that the scale divisions are spaced apart by the equivalent ofone-half of one percent of the total mixture, and that the diierences in the successive scale readings correspond to multiples of this unit. The formula can thus be written as follows:

Per cent No. 1 75.50 No. 2 7.50 f No. 6 .75 No. 15 16.25

The scales 26 thus merely form convenient indices of the volume percentages based upon the assumption that the can has a uniform cross section.

The liquid added to bring the float to Zero may advantageously be a paint thinner or drier supplied from containers 20, 2|. This thinner or drier not only serves to establish a uniform zero level in can but since it remains on top of the colored pigments, due to its lower specific gravity, it maintains float 45 out of contact with these colors and prevents it being soiled thereby. Thus, at the conclusion of the mixture forming operation, the thinner with the oat 45 suspended therein is on top of the mixture, allowing the float 45 to be removed and readily wiped dry without the necessity of cleaning.

What is claimed is:

l. In a float gauge mechansim, a scale carrying member, means forming an adjustable index cooperating with the scale, a freely movable pointer carried by said index forming means,

and a iioat structure for actuating the pointer when a definite vertical position ofthe float is reached, said index indicating the quantity necessary to move the pointer to indicating position.

2. In a liquid gauge, ascale, a member adjustable With respect to the scale and carrying an index cooperating with the scale, a pointer pivoted on said member, a iixed pointer mounted on said member and adapted to register with the pivoted pointer for giving an indication, a float, and means whereby movement of the float operates the pivoted pointer, the quantity of liquid i necessary to move the pointer to indicating position being indicated by the index.

3. In a liquid gauge, a scale member having a series of graduations thereon; means adjustable with respect to the scale and providing an index for co-operating with the graduations; means for maintaining said adjustable means in any set position corresponding to the desired quantity of liquid to be measured; anindicator mechanism carried by said adjustable means, said indicator mechanism including a movable pointer and a mark with whichfthe pointer can co-operate; and a float structure for causing said pointer to move into co-operative relation with said mark.

4. In a liquid gauge, a scale member having a series of graduations thereon; means adjustable with respect to the scale member and providing an index for co-operating with the graduations; an indicator mechanism carried by said adjustable means, said mechanism including a movable pointer and a mark with which said pointer can cooperate; and means, responsive to changes in liquid level, for causing said pointer to move into cooperative relation with said mark when the said liquid level reaches a position corresponding to the adjusted position of said index.

EDWARD M. ONEILL. 

